Children’s show featuring Paul Daniels’ final magic coming to South Shields

Vicki Newman

A children’s show featuring the last ever magic created by the late Paul Daniels is coming to South Shields this weekend.

Don’t Dribble on the Dragon is flying into the Customs House, in Mill Dam, on Sunday.

Steven Lee's Don't Dribble on the Dragon, featuring magic designed by Paul Daniels, is coming to the Customs House.

The musical story of two brothers and their secret dragon comes from the book of the same name by children’s author Steven Lee.

Steven, who also stars in the show as older brother Jack, said: “We’ve been coming to the Customs House for the best part of 20 years now. We really love the audience and the place. This is our premiere preview week too so if people come along to see the show they’ll see a once-in-a-lifetime version of the show because it will never be like this again.

“This is a story about two young brothers who are great friends until the younger brother starts teething, which brings along lots of dribbling with it. They fall out and it takes the dragon to bring them back together.

“For me, the most fun part of the show is seeing the people in the audience let their inner child out. There’s lots of interaction in the show, we wouldn’t be able to do it without the audience.

Paul Daniels

“This isn’t the kind of show that sort of babysits your children while you do something else, it’s for the adults as much as it is for the kids, and that’s what I love about it.”

The show, from the People’s Theatre Company, also stars James Mitchell as younger brother Tom and Kate Powell as the dragon.

Steven began working with North East magician Paul, who lost his battle with brain cancer in March, 18 months ago to create magic for the show.

He said: “He had been working furiously on the magic because he wanted to get it done in time.

Steven Lee's Don't Dribble on the Dragon, featuring magic designed by Paul Daniels, is coming to the Customs House.

“No one knows magic like Paul Daniels did and every bit of the show has exactly the right magic in it.

“There’s a bit where the brothers go to space and when I was talking to Paul about it, he said ‘should we turn gravity off?’

“I won’t tell you how it’s done, but we do actually turn gravity off in the play. There are some jaw-dropping moments thanks to him.

“It was always going to be an honour to have Paul’s magic in the show and what’s changed now is that it’s a tribute to him. It’s an unexpected treasure for fans of magic and of Paul Daniels. For people who loved him, here’s one more gift from him.”

Steven Lee's Don't Dribble on the Dragon, featuring magic designed by Paul Daniels, is coming to the Customs House.

Tickets for the 2.30pm show cost £10 for adults, £8.50 for children and £34 for a family. To book, go to www.customshouse.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 454 1234.

Steven Lee's Don't Dribble on the Dragon, featuring magic designed by Paul Daniels, is coming to the Customs House.

Steven Lee's Don't Dribble on the Dragon, featuring magic designed by Paul Daniels, is coming to the Customs House.